Automatic embroidering-machine



O. FAHRNI. AYUTOM ATIC EMBROIIDERING MACHINE. -.APPLICATION FILEDNQ-V.17, 1920.

1,378,668; PatentedM y 17, 1921.

27SHEETS-SHEET ,1.

vokmmmlx AUTOMATIC EMBROIDERINGMACHINE. APPLICATION msn'flpi fn, 1 920,I 1 ,378,668. Patented- May 17, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v UNITED STATES RATE-NT orricE...

o'r'r'o FAHRNI, or "rHoU'NE, SWITZERLAND, AssIe'no'n T0 WALTER GERBER,or

THOUNE, HOFSTETTEN, SWITZERLAND, nn (ERNS SCHNEIDER, or Bioni- MA'ITE,THOUNE, SWITZERLAND.

AUTOMATIC EMBROIDERING-MIACHINE.

Specification of Letters la tent. .Pat' t 'd 313 17,

Application filed. November 17, 1920. Serial Nol 424,758.

To all whom it may concern v Be it known that I, O'r:ro FAHRNI, acitizen of the Swiss Confederation, and residing at Thoune, Switzerland,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticEmbroidering- Machines, of which the followingis a specification.

The subject-matter of the present invention. is an automaticembroidering-machine wherein the needle-holders are arranged on slidesthat are moved to and fro at rightanglcs to the plane of the frame alonga constant path, and members arranged at both sides of the frame fortightening the threads on that side of the frame'on which the needlesare situated are combined with a device which is influenced in such amanner by a pattern-card controlling the movement of the frame that thedistance moved through by the said members when tighteniug the threadsbecomes less each stitch corresponding to the amount of thread used.-Preferably, the thread-tightening members are suspended from verticallyguided members which are driven by partsthat rotate alternately to andfro, the movement of which "isdiminished at each stitch from apredetermined starting position, corresponding to the amount of threadused, by means of stops adjusted by a feed device,

Conveniently, the thread-tightening members have the form of plates. 1

Other features of the invention will be described hereinafter andpointed out in the claims. I l

One embodiment of the invention is illus- V trated by way of example inthe accompanying drawing, wherein: V v I Figure 1 is a vertical sectiontaken on the line II in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 2 is a planpar-tly ingthose parts of one form of machine accordingto the invention which'are necessary for its understanding;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line IIIIII in Fig. 2, and i r Fig. 4is an end levation showing part of the machine as seen looking in thedirection of the arrow IV in Fig, 2

Fig. 4; is a side elevation of some of the parts sho n in Flg 4t, and

broken away show- 7 Figs. 5,6, and 7 are detail views referred tohereinafter. i

Like reference numerals designate. like partsthroughout the severalviews.

Referring-to the drawing, ina machine framework 1, whereof only part isshown,

an embroideringframeQ is mounted to be horizontally and verticallydisplaceable in' the manner known in automatic shuttleembroidering-machines, and is controlled by a patterncard 3 by means ofa controlling device that is also not illustrated and that may beOfflllyiCOIlVBIllGIll? construction.

Two slides 7 and 8, consisting each of two forked end pieces-5 anda beam6 con: necting the same, are guidedto move; at

right-anglestothe plane of the embroider- I nected by links 15 with theslide 7 while the levers 13 are pivotally connected directly to theslide 8. g F

The beam 6 of eachslide carries a row of needle-holders 16 that extendlaterally beyond the inner longitudinalside thereof, that is the sidenearer the frame 2, which holders are arranged in; pairs, one exactlyopposite another, on the two beams. l

Each of these needle-holders 16 comprises a mandrel 17 (Figs. 6 and 7)which has its one end fast on the beam 6, and on which is rotatable asleeve 18 that has a slot or recess 19 at its end flush with-the freeend of the mandrel, through which slot projects a plate 20 extendinglaterally from the mandrel. A needle-abutment 21 is arranged on eachsleeve 18 below the plate 20. This abutment or'stop 21 is provided inits upper face with a longitudinal channel 21'' serving for receiving anembroidering needle 23. By suitably turning the sleeve 18 by means of anarm 22 on its rear end, a needle 23 inserted into the channel 21betweenthe plate released.

In order to prevent the needle turning about its own axis, which isimportant when employing an automatic single-thread device, the channel21' has projecting into it a lug 24 which, when the needle is fast inthe holder, takes into a transverse recess in the needle.

For simultaneously clamping and releasin the needles of each row ofneedle-holders, a rod 25 is passed through the arms 22. Each of theserods 25 carries coil springs 26 and collars 27 between the arms 22, andhas one end controlled by a tension spring 28, and its other end pivotedto one end of a two-armedlever 29. In Fig. 2, the springs 28 are, forthe sake of clearness, shown broken off, but it will be understood thatthey are connected to the rods 25. The other end of each lever 29 ispivoted each to one end of a rod 30 which carries a block 31 at itsother end. Each of these blocks has a lug 32 (Figs. 4 and 4) and ahorizontal longitudinal slot 33 in which engages a pin 36 mounted on anangle-lever 34 and 35, respectively, when the slide in question issituated in its inner end position.

The angle-lever 35 allotted to the slide 8 is connected by a link 37with a lever 40 fulcrumed at 38 and arranged to bear against a cam 39.The angle-lever 34 allotted to the slide 7 is connected by a link 41with the one end of a two-armed lever 42 whose other end bears on thecam 39. This cam thus coacts with both angle-levers 34 and 35, so thatthat one of them whose pin 36 is in engagement with the slot 33 of therespective block 31 pulls the latter and the rod 30 connected therewithagainst the action of the respective spring 28 downward as seen in Fig.2 and to the left as seen in Fig. 4 Consequently, the rod 25 in questionis shifted in the opposite direction, whereby all its springs 26 arepressed against the arms 22 bearing against them. These arms 22 areconsequently so turned with the needleholder sleeves 18 that needlesinserted into the holders are clamped.

In order that these needles shall remain clamped until the next stitchor change of needle, that is to say during the time when the slide inquestion slides outward and inward, when the respective pin 36 is not inengagement with the block 31, each block 31. has allotted to it a pawl43 that is provided with a finger 44 which extends over the same, andbehind which the lug 32 lies when the block 31 is actuated by the pin 36against the action of the spring 28. The finger 44 of the pawl 43 thusholds the block 31. in its end position shown at the left-hand of Fig. 2until the pawl 43 is lifted by a vertically movable pusher 45 or 46.

The pusher 45 has its lower end pivotally connected with the lever 40 bymeans of a two-armed lever 47 and a link 48, while the pusher 46 ispivotally connected with the lever 42. Therefore the cam 39 actuatessimultaneously the pusher 45 and the anglelever 35, the pusher 46 andthe angle-lever 34. The levers 40 and 42 are moved alternately in such amanner by the cam 39 that the pawl 43 of the inwardly-moved slide islifted and the respective needle-holders are opened by the action of thespring 28 whereby the needles are released, while at the same time theneedle-holders of the other slide are so actuated that the releasedneedles are gripped and held fast.

In order that the embroidery threads shall always be tightened on thatside of the frame on which the needles on the outwardlymoved slide aresituated, on each side of the frame there is arranged athread-tightening member in the form of a longitudinal plate 49 and 50,respectively, consisting preferably of a light material, such asaluminiun, which is lowered by a device described here inafter from anupper end position of con stant elevation to a lower positioncorresponding to the amount of thread that is used. The use of plates asthread-tightening members has the advantage that when they rise, theparts of thread situated in front of and behind them cannot becomeentangled.

Each of the plates 49 and 50 is suspended at its ends on an endless bandor tie 51 and 52, respectively, which are respectively guided by twopulleys 53, 54 and 55, 56 arranged one over another. The shaft 57 and 60of the lower pulleys carry near their middle .each an intermediatepulley, not shown. That intermediate pulley which is onthe shaft 57 ofthe pulleys 54 is connected by a crossed belt 58 or the like with apulley 59, while that on the shaft 60 of the pulleys 56 is connected byan uncrossed belt 61 or the like with a pulley 62. These pulleys 59 and62 are freely rotatable on and slidable axially along the shaft 63,which carries between them a toothed Wheel 64, with which meshes apinion 65. i Each of the pulleys 59 and 62 is provided on its inner facewith a laterally projecting stop or pin 66 and 67:, respectively, whilethe wheel 64 is provided on each side with four pairs of pins 68 and 69which are displaced relatively to one another, that is are spaced 90apart. The inner pins 68 are the same distance from the axis of rotationas are the pins 66 and 67 of the pulleys 59 and 62, so that the pins 66and 67 can bear against the pins 68, as shown in Fig. 1. The

In the lower until the threads in the needles are finally used up. w i

lThepurpose'of the pins 69 is that each time after new needles have beenthreaded afresh "with threads of a predetermined length, the playbetween the pins'66 and 67 shall 'be as large as aossible, for whiehreasonthe lattermust e moved out of reach of thepin '68 in "question.Thisis brought about by means. of two coaxial drivers or pins '69c'oacting with upwardly beveled tongues 73 of'two levers 75 that arepulled toward one another by aspring 74c and engage with their free endsin peripheral grooves in the hubs of the pulleys 59 and 62; when thepins-69 bear on thetongues 73 the levers 75 move the pulleys apart. Assoon as the pins 69 have moved "past the tongues, however, the levers 75 and the pulleys 59 and 62move together, so that-the pins 66'a11d 67have their motion limited again by "the 'pins68 next in order totheleft'of them as seen in Fig; 1. 7

Provision is mad'e'thatthe wheel 64 shall be fed forwardbeforeeachstitch'to be made an amount corresponding to the length of thethreadused inmaking the stitch. For this purpose the'shaft 76 of'the pinioncarries a feed mechanism which comprises a ratchet-wheel 78 reventedfrom moving backward by a catch 77, a' feed pawl 80 mounted on a lever79, and a spring-0on trolled toothed sector 81 mounted beside the lever79, on the hub 82 of which sector one end of a tie 83 is wound andattached. The tie 83 is led around two guide pulleys 84 and 85 to adevice controlled by the pattern card 3. I

This device (Fig. 2) comprises five feeler pins '86 that coact with acorresponding number of rows of holes in the card 3,the upperends ofwhich pins, when unable to enter ahole in the card, extend abovea plate87, so that levers 88,89, 90, 91 and 92 mounted to swing about verticalpivots on the plate 87 abut against them. Each of'these leversearriesa'pulley 93 rotatable aboutfa vertical pivot, and the tie-83 is ledaround these pulleys along "a zigzagco'urse as shown in Fig. 2, andattached at its other end to a pin 94: on the plate 87 When the pins 86enter into holes in the pattern card 3 the alloted levers can rockinward a distance limited by a'pin 95 and a lug 96, one of each beingallotted to each lever. The length of this distance, and the distance ofthe pulleys from the fulcrums of their levers is difi erent-ineach case;for example, when the 1ever88-is actuated thetie 83 moves thesec tor 81one tooth, while the lever89 causes it to move twofthe lever 90 four,the lever 91 eight and the lever 92 fifteen teeth. Thus it isseen thatthe lever'92 causes a movement of the toothed sector 81 that is equal tothat caused by an the four levers 88, '89, 90 and 91together. Asthetie831 is led around all the levers 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 it .isobvious thatjth'e movements ofallthese leversare addedtogether in their effect onthe tie 83, so that when forexam'ple the levers 88, 90 and -91 arereleasedby their allotted=feeler pins "86, the sector- 81, which aspring97 tends to'rotate counter-clockwise, is shifted 1+4 8=133teeth in thisdirection.

On theside of the sector 81 facingthe lever 79 is mounted a pin 98constituting a stop forthe latter. The lever 79 carrying the feedpawl 80of the wheel 78 can be turned counter-clockwise by spring 99,

that coacts with it, only until it abuts against the pin 98i This causesthe ratchetwheelf78to rotate a like distance in the same direction'andby means of the shaft 76 of the'ppinion 65 shifts the toothed wheel 64,which the path ofthe pins 66 and 67 is shortenedby 13 units and,consequently, that of the thread tightening plates 49 and'50 byalike-amount. It will thus be seen. that by suitably perforatingthepattern card 3 the distance movedthrough by the thread-tightening platescanbe regulated. v

.In order that the tie 83 shall not be stressed injuriously when thelever'7 9 strikes against the pin 98, the toothed sector 81 is locked byfa detent 100 at a convenient moment. The lever7 9 is returned into itsstarting position by'a link 101 attached to it, a two-armed lever 102connected with the latter, "and a cam'103 that is carried on the shaft 9and coacts' with the lever 102. The toothed sector 81 and thelevers 88,89, 90,91 and 92, operatively connected therewith are returned intotheirstarting positions by two cams104 (whereof only one'is shown in thedrawing; see Figs. 2 and'5) mounted on the shaft 9, "pairs of Y levers105 that coact with these cams,"'r0ds]106 carried by the levers 105, andlinks 107 thatextend through these rods,*'are pivoted each to oneo'fthelevers 88, 89, 90, 91' and 92 and carry outside the rods "106"collars '108 against which the rods 106 hear when the levers 105 rockoutward,

with 'thelinks. These levers return the toothed sector'81 intoitsjoriginal position by 7 means of the tie 83; l

Thefabove described andillustrated embroidering machine comprises onlyone row of needlesbutit is to be understoodthat Several. rows anged oneabove another couldbe employed with the same operating mechanismprovided that suitable connectione 'Were prov ded. Further, thethreadmovably mounted therein, of a slide mounted on the framework tomove to and fro perpendicularly to said frame, needle-holders carried bysaid slide, a thread-tighten+ ing member mounted in the framework at thesame side of said frame as 'said needleholders, and means adapted to becontrolled by a pattern card and arranged to move said member a shorterdistance each stitch corresponding to the consumption of thread,substantially as described.

2. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combination.with a framework and an embroidering frame movably mounted therein, of aslide mounted on the framework to move to and fro perpendicularly tosaid frame, needle-holders carried by said slide, guide members mountedto move vertically in said framework, :1. thread-tightening membersuspended from said guide members at the sameside of said frame as saidneedle-holders, and oscillatory feed mechanism adapted to be controlledby a pattern card and arranged to move said guide members a shorterdistance each stitch corresponding to the consumption of thread,substantially as described. 7

3. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combinationwith a framework and an embroidering frame movably mounted therein, of aslide mounted on the framework to move to and fro perpendicularly tosaid frame, needle-holders carried by said slide, guide members mountedto move vertically in said framework, a thread-tightening membersuspended from said guide members at the same side of said frame as saidneedle-holders, oscillatory feed mechanism comprising stops forvertically reciprocating said guide members and said thread-tighteningmember, and means adapted to be controlled by a pattern card forcoacting with said stops and causing said guide members to move ashorter distance each stitch corresponding to the consumption of thread,substantially as described.

4. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combinationwith a framework, and an embroidering' frame movably mounted therein, ofa slide mount ed on the framework to move to and fro perpendicularly tosaid frame, needle-holders carried by said slide, a thread-tighteningmember in the form of a plate carried in the framework at the same sideof said frame as said needle-holders, and means adapted to be controlledby a pattern card and arranged to move said member a shorter distanceeach stitch correspondin to the consumption of thread, substantially asdescribed.

5. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combinationwith a framework, a shaft journaled therein, and an embroidering framemovably mounted in the framework, of two slides, one at each side ofsaid frame, mounted on the framework to move perpendicularly to saidframe, means driven by said shaft for reciprocating said slides,needle-holders carried by each of said slides, two pairs of guidemembers, one pair at each side of said frame, mounted to move verticallyin said framework, two thread-tightening members, one carried by eachpair of guide members, arranged to move between the frame and saidneedle-holders, and oscillatory feed mechanism adapted to be controlledby a pattern card and arranged to move said guide members a shorterdistance each stitch corresponding tothe consumption of thread, saidfeed mechanism comprising a wheel, means for rotating the latter step bystep, two pulleys operatively connected each with one of saidthread-tightening members and arranged coaxially one on each side ofsaid wheel, stops on said pulleys, stops on said wheel arranged to coactwith the former stops, means driven by said shaft for turning saidpulleys, drivers on said wheel, and means arranged to be actuated bysaid drivers for moving said pulleys axially away from said wheel duringthe rotation thereof, substantially as described.

a 6. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combinationwith a framework, a shaft journaled therein, and an embroidering framemovably mounted in the framework, of two slides, one at each side ofsaid frame, mounted on the framework to move perpendicularly to saidframe,

means driven by said shaft to reciprocate said slides, needle-holderscarried by each of said slides, two pairs of guide members, one pair ateach side of said frame, mounted to move vertically in said framework,two thread-tightening members, carried each by one pair of said guidemembers, arranged to move between said frame and said needleholders, andoscillatory mechanism arranged to move said guide members a shorterdistance each stitch corresponding to the consumption of thread, saidmechanism comprising variable pawl-and-ratchet' feed mechanismoperatively connected with said guide members and actuated by saidshaft, and controlling mechanism comprising feeler-pins arranged tocoact with a pattern card, a plurality of members movable variousdistances and controlled by said feeler-pins, and a tie attachedto saidfeed mechanism and operatively connected with the latter members,substantially as defscribedi 7. In an embroidering machineof theclassdescribed, the combination with a framework, a shaft j ournaled therein,and an embroidering' frame *movably mounted in the framework, of twoslides, one at each side of nism comprising step-by-step feed'mechanism'that comprises a ratchet-wheel rotatable in only one direction, a pawlactuated by said shaft for feeding said ratchet-whee, and a regulatingmember coaxial with said ratchet-wheel and arranged to limit "the strokeof said pawl, and controlling mechanism comprising feeler-pins arrangedto coact with a pattern card, a plurality of members, each carrying apulley, arranged to be moved various distances and to be controlled bysaid feeler-pins, and a tie thatis led around said pulleys and has oneend attached to said regulating member and its other end attached to.saidfrarnework, substantially, as described. 7

8. In an embroide'ring machine'of the. class described, the combinationwith a 7 framework, ashaft; journaled therein, and anembroiderin ramemovably mounted. in the A framework, of two slides, one at each side ofsaid, frame, mounted on the framework to move perpendicularly to saidframe, means; driven by said shaft to reciprocate said slides, needleholders mounted on each of said slides, two pairs of guide members,onepair at each side of said frame,mounted to move vertically in saidframework, two thread-tightening members carried each by one pair ofsaid guide members and arranged to move between said frame and saidneedle-holders, and oscillatory mecha-,

nism arranged to move said guide members a shorter distance each st tchcorresponding to the consumption of thread,said mecha-' nism comprisingstep-by-step mechanism that comprises a ratchet-wheel rotatable in onlyone direction, a pawl actuated by said shaft for feeding saidratchet-wheel, anda regulating member coaxial with said ratchetwheel,and arranged to limit the stroke of said pawl, and controlling mechanismcomprising feeler-pins arranged to coact with a pattern card, aplurality of levers of various lengths arranged to be rocked variousdistances and to be controlled each by one of said feeler pins,a1plurality'ofpulleys'carried each by one ofisaid-levers-andsituated inone plane, a tie, thatisled zigzag about said pulleys and has one endattachedto said regulating member and its other end attached to saidframework, andmeans for returning said levers into their starting.position. v if 9. In an embroidering machine of the class described, thecombination with a framework, a shaft journaled thereim anda nembroid'ering frame mova'bly mounted in the framework, of two slides,one at each sideof said frame, :mounted' on'the framework to moveperpendicularly to saidframe, means driven by said shaft to reciprocatesaid slides, needle holders mounted on each of said slides,;two pairs ofguide members, one pair at each side ofsaid frame, mounted to movevertically in said framework, two thread-tightening members carried eachby one pair of said guide members and ar}, ranged to move between saidframe andsaid needle-holders, and oscillatory mechanism arranged to movesaid guide members a shorter distance eachstitch corresponding to theconsumption of thread, said mechan sm comprising step-by-step mechanismthat omprise a, ratch wh el. ot a e n only one direction, a pawlactuatedby saidshaftv for feedingfsaid ratchet-wheel, and a regulatingmember coaxial with said ratchetwheel, and arranged to limit the strokeof said pawl, and controlling mechanism comprising feeler pinsarra ngedto coactwitha pattern card, a pluralityof levers of various lengthsarranged to berocked various distances and to, be controlled each by.one of said feeler pins, a plurality of pulleys carried each by one ofsaid levers and situated in one plane, a tie that is led zigzag aboutsaid pulleys and has one end attachedto said regulating member and itsother end at: tached to saidframework, and means for re: turning saidlevers into their starting position, said latter'means comprisingacamjfast on said shaft, levers fulcrumed on 'said framework andarrangedto coact withsaid earn, and links connecting said latter levers eachwith one of formerlevers, substantially as described. t 7 10- n a m r idr ngmach ne of h class" described,v the combinationlwithfl a framework,and an embroidering frame mov- I ably mounted therein, of a slidemounted on the framework to move to and fro perpendicularly to saidframe, needle-holders carried by said slide, a thread-tightening membermounted in the framework at thesame side of said frame as saidneedle-holders,

and means adapted to be controlled by apattern card and arranged to movesaid 130 a member a shorter distance each stitch corresponding to theconsumption of thread, each needle-holder comprising two cylindricalconcentric members rotatable one in relation to the other, that areflush one with the other at one end. and are provided each with alateral lug whereof the one lug has a lateral recess for receivinganeedle to be clamped by the other lug, substantially as described.

11. In an embroidering machine of "the class described, the combinationwith a framework, and an embroidering frame movably mounted therein, ofa slide mounted on the frame work to move to and fro perpendicularly tosaid frame, needle-holders mounted in a row on said slide, a thread- Itightening member mounted in the framework at the same side of saidframe as said needle-holders between the latter and said frame, andmeans adapted to be controlled by a pattern card and arranged to movesaid member a shorter distance each stitch corresponding to theconsumption of thread; each needle-holder comprising two cylindricalconcentric members whereof one is fixed and the other is rotatable aboutthe same, and both are flush one with the other at one end and areprovided at that end each with a laterallug, in one of which lugs is arecess for receiving a needle to be clamped by the other lug; and alongitudinally slidable rod common to all the needle-holders operativelyconnected to each rotatable member of said holders, substantially asdescribed.

12. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combinationwith a framework, and an embroidering frame movably mounted therein, ofa slide mounted on the framework to move to and fro perpendicularly tosaid frame, needle-holders mounted in a row on said slide, athreadtightening member mounted in the framework to move verticallybetween said frame and said needle-holders, and means adapted to becontrolled by a pattern card and arranged to move said member a shorterdistance each stitch corresponding to the consumption of thread; eachneedle-holder comprising two cylindrical concentric members whereof oneis fixed and the other is rotatable about the same, and each is providedwith. a lateral lug, in one of which lugs is a recess for receivinganeedle to be clamped by the other lug; a longitudinally slidable rodcommon to all the needle-holders operatively connected to each rotatablemember of said holders and having at its oneend ablock, a driving shaft,lever mechanism driven by the latter and operatively connected with saidslide, lever mechanism driven by said shaft and operatively connectedwithv said block, and means for holding said block in one of its endpositions when said slide is in one of its end positions, substantiallyas described.

13. In an embroidering machine of the class described, the combinationwith a framework, a shaft journaled therein, and an embroidering framemovably mounted in the framework, of two slides, one at each side ofsaid frame, mounted on the framework to move perpendicularly to saidframe, means driven by said shaft to reciprocate said slides, two setsof needle-holders mounted one set in a row on each of said slides, twopairs of guide members, one pair at each side of said frame, mounted tomove vertically in said framework, two threadtightening members carriedeach by one pair of said guide members arranged to'move each betweensaid frame and a row of needleholders, and oscillatory mechanismarranged to move said guide members a shorter distance each stitchcorresponding to the con sumption of thread; each needle-holdercomprising two cylindrical concentric members whereof one is fixed andthe other is rotatableabout the same and having lugs adapted to clamp aneedle between them; two 1ongitudinally slidable spring-controlled rodscommon each to all the needle-holders in one of said rows and eachoperatively connected to each rotatable member of the needle-hold ers towhich it is common, each of said rods having at one end a block, levermechanisms driven by said shaft and operatively connected each with ablock of said rods, pawls arranged to hold the blocks in one of theirend positions, and means operatively connecting the latter levermechanisms for actuating the blocks each with the pawl allotted to theother block respectively, substantially as described. a a

In. testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OTTO FAHRNI. Witnesses R. HEINGARTNER, J. ALLEMEN.

